Harriet Russell of Vouch and Chris Duffy of Lancaster Brewery. Photo by Robin Zahler.
People are being encouraged to support local pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, and venues through the COVID-19 pandemic by buying gift vouchers to use after the virus has run its course.
In an effort to support the hospitality and leisure industry – and its many employees – during this incredibly challenging time for the sector, creative agency Hotfoot Design and gift voucher platform Regalo are offering free online gift voucher shops for local businesses.
Hospitality venues and leisure destinations are able to sell gift vouchers directly to customers, in the comfort of their own homes, which are instantly delivered by email through the new gift voucher discovery website Vouch.
Vouch participants already include Michelin-star restaurants, craft breweries, historic pubs and boutique hotels.
Harriet Russell of Vouch and Regalo Gifts said, “This is an incredibly challenging time for all of us, but it is particularly difficult for those working in the hospitality and leisure sector. We’re seeing such a wonderful community spirit arising across the nation in response to the virus outbreak, and we thought this is the best way we could help our local, independent businesses. Gift vouchers are something to look forward to at the best of times, but now they offer a way to support the venues and places we love when they need it most. Buy now and experience later is the message, as we encourage everyone to vouch for the future. Together we’ll get through this.”
Phil Simpson, director of C2 Investments, which owns Lancaster Brewery and a group of pubs and hotels in Lancashire and Cumbria said, “Britain has faced many challenges in its long history but none of them have ever hit with such speed or caused such a fundamental shift in our behaviour as this COVID-19 crisis. This gift voucher platform represents a first step to creating self perpetuating growth in our economy, encouraging the green shoots of local recovery. It’s a brilliant idea and I hope people heartily embrace it.”
When buying a gift voucher people are also given the option to donate to Hospitality Action, the charity that offers support services to people that work in the hard-hit hospitality sector.
Businesses can sign-up for free to sell their gift vouchers through Vouch here.
Follow #vouchforthefuture on social media for updates on the latest local businesses offering online gift vouchers and visit Vouch for more information.
